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I have named my new blog here at AikiBlogs 'Beginner's Mind' in light of the Japanese term 'Shoshin' which I learnt during my time with Zen Buddhism.

Shoshin means:

Quote:

an attitude of openness, eagerness, and lack of preconceptions when studying a subject, even when studying at an advanced level, just as a beginner in that subject would.

Although my Buddhist practice these days is predominently that of Vajrayana (Tibetan tantric Buddhism) I still operate, if you will, with the mind-set familiar to my Zen roots.

When it comes to Aikido I am an absolute beginner. At this point in time, the time of writing this first entry, I have undertaken only a handful of classes.

I am well aware, however, when something that enters my life is going to be of benefit to me or not. From the moment I encountered the words of O-Sensai to the first time I knelt in the Dojo to watch the teacher demonstrate the next lesson, I knew that Aikido was something that would be a force of great good in my life.

The 'Beginner's Mind' I wish to use as a platform to document and further explore my own understanding and practice of Aikido as they develop.

It is wonderful to have a resource such as AikiWeb and AikiBlogs to effectivley do this where I am surrounded by so many fellow practitioners and inspiring people.

Thank you David for sharing your thoughts about being an absolute beginner. I share that with you and will follow your writings. Afraid I 'm not yet eloquent enough in English to share deepest thoughts with others...

YAY! Your first entry. You should take a look at some blogs that have been around for a while. Some of the ones I read most often are (in no particular order): CatSienna's Blog, My Path and Seeking Zanshin: Blood, Sweat, Tears & Aikikai